Skinboat School
Posted by: ret603 on Sep-24-12 10:46 AM (EST)
Glen,
I've been mentioning the Skinboat School only to identify the pattern of the Aleut paddle I've most used. It's likely based on some historical paddle, I haven't asked which. Looking at the few patterns online, Zimmerly's looks most like the one I carved.
It is the same place you visited on Anacortes Island, WA., owned by Corey Freedman. I saw one of his early Baidarka frames (no skin) on the dock at the Center For Wooden Boats around 1993. I couldn't get it out of my mind, so I went to the Skinboat School and built one a decade later. I also also carved an Aleutian paddle while there, which has been my favorite since. I've made 4 others to the same pattern, and two to Beltrane's pattern.
No need to clear out spiders from your kayaks. I could bring two kayaks; the Baidarka and another, or a kayak and the Rapidfire. Contact me by email and we can set a date for a Bantam Lake paddle exploration. I'll bring the two different pattern Aleutian paddles (and a spare).
Dave